James Bond, the British Secret Service agent codenamed '007', has been named
the best film spy of all time in a poll of film fans.

The victory comes in the same year as the MI6 operative celebrates his 50th year on the big screen, during which time he has been played by some of Hollywood's greatest actors - including Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and most recently, Daniel Craig.

Following closely in third is another British spy, George Smiley from espionage flick, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

As an intelligence officer working for MI6, Smiley, played by Gary Oldman is responsible for unraveling the mystery of a Soviet double agent in the upper echelons of the British secret service in the critically acclaimed film.

In fourth place is the flamboyant International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers. With a strong advocacy for free love, a never-changing dress sense and a hairy chest that most men would be proud of, this parody of James Bond played by Mike Myers won the hearts of British film fans when he first hit the screen in 1997.

With 5 per cent of the vote, retired US spy Bryan Mills, whose efforts to rescue his estranged daughter after she is kidnapped in cult action film Taken cemented his status as a fan favourite, takes fifth place in the list.

Gary Oldman as George Smiley from TinkerTailorSoldier Spy

Sneaking his way into sixth with 5 per cent is Harry Palmer from the 1965 BAFTA award winning film, The Ipcress File. Played by Sir Michael Caine, this spy's antics edged out the incompetent British intelligence spy, Johnny English (3 per cent) - an agent with all the gear but no idea, who came in seventh place.

This spy saved the nation from a bleak future as a giant prison, earning him a knighthood as a result - all in his first on-screen outing.

"James Bond has beguiled and blindsided his way into the top spot of the Best Spies poll, putting Bourne and Austin to shame. It's good to see '007' is still so popular and as ageless as the actors who play him," Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM said.

Tom Cruise's IMF Agent and lead protagonist from the Mission Impossible series, Ethan Hunt, suspends his way into eighth place with 3 per cent of the vote.

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible

In a career which has involved clearing his name of false accusations, rescuing a deadly genetically engineered virus and tracking down a dangerous mystery item known as the 'Rabbit's Foot', Hunt's latest outing sees him stop a nuclear bomb from exploding.

Rounding off the top ten and both with 2 per cent are Angelina Jolie's Evelyn Salt and NYPD detective turned inter-galactic agent, Jay, from Men in Black fame.